Bury 0 Brentford 1

IF the alarm bells aren't ringing around Gigg Lane after this result it could be time to appoint an ear specialist to the Shakers' medical staff!

Yet another punchless performance - in front of the lowest gate of the campaign 2,274 - edged Andy Preece's men perilously nearer the Second Division drop zone.

A miserable night weather-wise turned into an equally grim one result-wise as the Shakers made it one victory in fifteen - statistics that Preece is well aware can't be allowed to continue. "We are putting ourselves in a precarious situation and if we carry on as we are we'll be in big trouble," admitted Preece.

"The gap between us and the bottom four won't stay there forever and it's time we woke up and started getting ourselves in a much safer position.

"Every game is a massive one now - none more than the next one - we've got to start getting more points."

The only way that's likely to happen is if they begin to start finding the net on a regular basis.

The last time they bagged three goals in a league game was on April 1 last year - and if they carry on the way they are doing only a fool would put his money on them scoring another treble before the end of the season.

Once again they had the lion's share of the possession, once again they failed to turn that possession into goal chances and once again a defensive slip denied them even a share of the spoils.

Yet it could all have been so different as the Gigg Lane men made a bright start with Baichung Bhutia again linking up well in his midfield role. Lutel James gave the Brentford defence plenty to think about in a fine all round display and must have left the field absolutely shattered after running himself into the ground on the strength sapping pitch.

It was James who came closest to opening the scoring for the Shakers after 11 minutes when he cut in from the left and unleashed a superb drive that flashed just wide.

Brentford didn't look to threaten much in the first period and despite plenty of good work from the busy Martin Rowland it came as no surprise when the half ended goalless.

The big problem the Shakers are having at the moment is an inability to get the opening goal and once again first blood fell to the visitors.

Ten minutes after the break a long throw into the box should have been easily dealt with but when Steve Redmond allowed the ball to sail over his head it landed at the feet of Bees' striker Lloyd Owusu who turned Chris Swailes far too easily and lashed a low left foot shot past Paddy Kenny.

"You'd have to ask Redders why he left it," said the frustrated Preece. "I've no idea why he did it.

"Once again an individual mistake has cost us and it isn't good enough.

"But, to be fair, the pressure is on our defenders because we can't score at the other end.

"We can't expect them to keep a clean sheet every week but it's a starting point, and if you do you are assured of a point."

Paul Barnes, who worked hard up front with James, ought to have done better with a couple of headers after losing his marker and a Nick Daws free kick shot across the penalty area and flew past the post when the slightest touch would have put it past Icelandic goalkeeper Olafur Gottskalksson.

The Scandinavian shotstopper limped out of the action minutes later when a robust challenge from Bhutia left him writhing in agony.

There was an element of synchronicity about the incident as seconds earlier Owusu clashed with Kenny and the game was held up for several minutes while both players received treatment.

Gottskalksson left the field to be replaced by substitute 'keeper Paul Smith but Bees' boss Ray Lewington - whose feelings were no doubt tempered by a welcome three points - refused to castigate the Indian skipper.

"Olly got a nasty whack on his knee but the incident was a fair distance from where I was and I've no complaints about the challenge," he said.

"The injury isn't as bad as it first looked and he should be okay for Saturday."